Leeds United defeated Norwich 4-0 on Thursday night, securing their spot in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, but it also marked the end of an era for captain Liam Cooper.

After a 0-0 tie in the first leg, another competitive game was predicted at Elland Road, but Leeds dominated and won 4-0. Ilia Gruev scored with a beautiful free kick that surprised Angus Gunn.

Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter, and Crysencio Summerville all scored to bring the total to 4-0. Cooper came off the bench in the final few minutes as Farke’s side cruised into the final at Wembley.

The defender has been at Leeds for nearly ten years, having joined from Chesterfield during Massimo Cellino’s first summer in 2014. He went on to play 284 games for Leeds, scoring 11 goals.

Cooper stated at the Leeds awards night that he would like to sign a new deal and stay beyond the summer. However, in his captain’s column ahead of Thursday night, he essentially confirmed his departure.

He stated in the Leeds United programme that it had “been a pleasure” to captain Leeds over the years:

Liam Cooper pretty much guarantees he will leave Leeds.

Cooper’s stint at Leeds has been up and down, with the 17-time Scotland international drawing criticism and earning the nickname ‘League One Cooper’. Cooper suffered numerous injuries throughout his time at Leeds.

However, he was the man who led Leeds to promotion under Marcelo Bielsa and remained in the Premier League for three years. His performances for Leeds have earned him the opportunity to play for Scotland.

Cooper wrote before last night’s 4-0 win in Thursday night’s programme: “As I’ve previously stated, not only is it an honour to play for Leeds, but also to be captain of this incredible club.

“One that I never take for granted.” It has been a pleasure guiding this group of players this season, and therefore, I want nothing more than for the season to end in the way that we all hope for,” Cooper said.

Who will succeed Cooper as Leeds’ captain going forward?
Cooper has been reduced to a peripheral player this season, therefore Ethan Ampadu and Pascal Struijk have taken over as captains. Struijk wore it in the side, ahead of Ampadu, who had only joined last summer.

But Ampadu has shone for Leeds as captain at the youthful age of 23, playing with the maturity of a 32-year-old Cooper, and Daniel Farke now has a decision.

Struijk or Ampadu? Given Struijk’s injury over the last few months and Ampadu’s work as on-field captain, it must go to the Wales star ahead of next season.

Leeds United have secured their spot at Wembley Stadium on May 26 after defeating Norwich City in the play-off semi-finals, and both Junior Firpo and Illan Meslier have responded on Instagram.

Following Sunday’s 0-0 draw, Leeds and Norwich were expected to play another tight game at Elland Road on Thursday night. However, it turned out to be the exact reverse as Leeds sailed past Norwich.

Ilia Gruev scored his first goal with a brilliant free kick, and Joel Piroe headed home Willy Gnonto’s cross. Georginio Rutter scored a third goal, while Crysencio Summerville added a fourth after the break.

That was one of Daniel Farke’s two comments after the final whistle: Leeds were not particularly clinical in the final third despite scoring four goals. Norwich City fired David Wagner.

On Friday, Firpo and Meslier delivered greetings to Leeds fans on Instagram this afternoon:

Firpo delivers message to Leeds fans on Instagram; still a job to do.

Firpo, 27, has been outstanding for Leeds since the turn of the year, when Farke brought in a number of players who had either been injured or were warming the Leeds bench prior to January.

Firpo, who was injured for much of the first half of the season, has now provided eight assists for Leeds in 2024, the eighth of which came on Thursday for Summerville to score our fourth goal.

The left-back spoke to Instagram on Friday, urging fans to celebrate the triumph over Norwich while also stating that the squad is focused on the final against West Brom or Southampton.

His captain stated, “What an environment, what a team. Enjoy it, but the task is not done; let us finish it.”